  | Diamond explorer Author: Yang, Kao Kalia | |
| Price: $23.08 | ||
Summary:
A Hmong-American boy struggles to find a place for himself in America and in the world of his ancestors.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (08/15/24)
School Library Journal (10/04/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/04/2024 Gr 4–7—Malcolm is a Hmong boy, quiet and sensitive, who lives on the prairies of Minnesota with his family and has felt like he never really fit in with the world around him. Readers are introduced to Malcolm through the views of those closest to him—parents, sisters, brother, teachers. As he gets older, he feels more disconnected from his family and his place in it. After he witnesses a shaman ceremony performed on his sister, he starts to collect stories from family members about their ancestors. Thus begins his spiritual journey, walking between worlds. He finds himself living out memories of his family—things he has never seen or heard of before, with people he's never met, experiencing their trauma alongside them. The shaman spirits of his ancestors are calling to him and it's time to answer. This is a moving story about a boy longing to feel a connection to his family and his identity. Yang's writing is beautiful, seamlessly transitioning from one character to another, and situations involving violence and death are handled with care. VERDICT A lovely fiction pick for readers who don't often see themselves represented in fiction, those interested in learning more about Hmong spiritual beliefs, or seeking a fantasy genre not often explored for this age group.—Kerri L. Williams - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
School Library Journal - 10/04/2024 Gr 4–7—Malcolm is a Hmong boy, quiet and sensitive, who lives on the prairies of Minnesota with his family and has felt like he never really fit in with the world around him. Readers are introduced to Malcolm through the views of those closest to him—parents, sisters, brother, teachers. As he gets older, he feels more disconnected from his family and his place in it. After he witnesses a shaman ceremony performed on his sister, he starts to collect stories from family members about their ancestors. Thus begins his spiritual journey, walking between worlds. He finds himself living out memories of his family—things he has never seen or heard of before, with people he's never met, experiencing their trauma alongside them. The shaman spirits of his ancestors are calling to him and it's time to answer. This is a moving story about a boy longing to feel a connection to his family and his identity. Yang's writing is beautiful, seamlessly transitioning from one character to another, and situations involving violence and death are handled with care. VERDICT A lovely fiction pick for readers who don't often see themselves represented in fiction, those interested in learning more about Hmong spiritual beliefs, or seeking a fantasy genre not often explored for this age group.—Kerri L. Williams - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
